Putting The Brakes On Unsafe Trucking Companies

Fatigue Could Prove Fatal

Car problems plague most vehicle owners at some point. Whether it is a flat tire or something more complex, it isn’t uncommon for drivers to have to pull over on the side of the road in order to address a maintenance issue.

For two people in Louisiana on Interstate 310 this weekend, one car’s mechanical problems meant being in the line of tragedy. Being on the side of a highway can be dangerous business, particularly with the number of distracted and otherwise careless drivers on the roads who too often cause car accidents that could have easily been prevented.

Around 7:00 AM on Saturday morning, a car pulled over on the Louisiana road due to mechanical issues. A second driver also stopped on the side of the road to help out. The vulnerable parties became victims of a car accident when a younger driver veered off the side of the highway and crashed into them, creating a domino effect of car hitting car.

Early reports suggest that the 20-year-old driver was driving carelessly because of fatigue. Fatigued driving can be just as dangerous as drunk and distracted driving. Whether a person is under the influence of a substance, distracted by a cell phone or too tired to drive, he isn’t giving the proper attention to driving that is required by law.

On Saturday, before most people were likely up to enjoy their coffee, the potentially fatigued driver’s actions took the lives of two people, ages 65 and 59. So far, no official charges have been filed, as authorities continue the investigation.

Cases like this suggest that getting adequate sleep is as important to an individual’s health as it is to overall traffic safety in Louisiana and throughout the U.S.